A team of four climbers from the UK, led by expedition leader Lukas Furtenbach, has reached the summit of Mount Everest in a record-breaking 7-day ascent. The team, which includes Garth Miller, Alastair Carns, Anthony Stazicker, and Kev Godlington, underwent hypoxic training at home and breathed Xenon gas to prepare for their climb.
The team’s successful ascent suggests that Xenon therapy may enhance acclimatization, but it is too early to conclude that this is a miracle breakthrough. Other factors, such as training, fitness, oxygen use, and support, also likely contributed to their success.
Furtenbach’s company can now offer an exclusive protocol for clients looking to complete a fast and safe ascent of high-altitude peaks. However, another expedition company, Elite Exped, has announced a rival claim: Andrew Ushakov from the US reached the summit in just 3 days, 23 hours, and 7 minutes.
Elite Exped’s record attempt was not publicly disclosed until after Ushakov reached the summit, and details of his climb are still unknown. The company claims that Ushakov used traditional supplementary oxygen to reach the summit, but it is unclear what specific protocol he followed or if any additional treatments were used.
The Xenon era in high-altitude climbing may be opening up new possibilities for climbers seeking fast and safe ascents, but further investigation is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment.
Source: https://explorersweb.com/xenon-climbers-summit-everest-in-five-days-from-home